US Coast Guard to Upgrade Its Heavy Icebreaker Fleet
Updated 5/23/2017 to reflect statements made by Coast Guard commandant Zukunft regarding the program. Earth’s polar regions, the Arctic and the Antarctic, are some of…
Examining the US Navy’s Plans for an LCS-based Frigate
There are many defense programs which polarize experts. Perhaps the best example is the F-35, which is berated by many as an overpriced boondoggle and…
The Liaoning and CV-17: A Look at China’s Type 001A Carrier Force
Recently, there has been much ado about China’s aircraft carriers. CV-16, known as the Liaoning, was launched in 2012 to much fanfare, and CV-17 will…
Royal Navy to Retire Harpoon Missile Without Replacement
For much of history, the Royal Navy was the best-manned and best-equipped navy in the world. It has been many decades since that era, and while…
Gorshkov-class Frigate Production Challenging for Neglected Russian Shipbuilders
Note: this article is part of a series on Russia’s naval modernization. For part one, see the article on the Black Fleet’s Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates….
Arms Sales and Geopolitics: How Poland’s Aborted Caracal Helicopter Deal Frayed Ties with France
On the surface, the international arms market may appear to be a mere forum for buying and sellings weapons. However, the actual workings of defense…
An Overview of the T-X Trainer Program
In recent years, the United States Air Force has launched a number of programs intended to replace aging aircraft with modern ones. Most of these…
Future Vertical Lift: The V-280 Valor and SB-1 Defiant Compete for Monumental Contract
Mobility, the ability to transport troops and provisions from one place to another, is critical to any military operation. While firepower may be more prominently…
Admiral Grigorovich-class Frigates Bring Russian Black Sea Fleet into the 21st Century
The Russian Navy’s woes after the fall of the Soviet Union are well-documented. During its glory years, the Soviet Navy was the second-most-powerful in the…
The PT-91, WR-40, Newa SC, and ZSU-23-4MP: Poland’s Upgrades to Soviet Gear
Often times, mainstream coverage of military equipment focuses on flashy new weapon systems, such as the F-35 fighter jet. Based on these prominent articles and…